Re: Top Three Likes/Dislikes

I think most people here are fans of the CTS's exterior/interior styling and driving dynamics (or else we would not have purchased), so I'll leave those off my list and focus on more specific features.

Likes:
1. LED lighting pipes -- front, back, and interior accent lighting. Immediately distinctive and very "Cadillac" without resorting to strings of "Xmas light" LEDs in the headlights. In fact, the front LED pipes sort of remind me of modern-day opera lights.
2. Audio/NAV system: Robustness (DVD/USB/Hard Drive/Tivo-like function. The Tivo function still blows people away) and ease of use (I like how most features can be controlled by hard buttons in addition to touchscreen). This system was miles ahead of its time when the CTS was first released and can still hold its own in terms of functionality.
3. Ventilated seats -- not a feature I even cared about when purchasing, but as someone who "runs hot," I've grown to love this feature

Close runner ups for Likes:
1. Remote start feature
2. Moonroof -- something I did not care about on purchase, but I like how much light is let into the cabin. I rarely actually open it, though, and would be satisfied with just a glass roof to be honest.
3. Actual instrumentation: Oil pressure, battery charge, real temp gauge

Dislikes
1. Creaky seats, interior, and various rattles
2. Audio/NAV system: Lack of "night mode" on NAV maps that reverse the map colors to dark colors when headlights are on (the SRX has this feature). Also, don't like how current audio source is not displayed when in map mode (again, corrected on newer NAV system in SRX). I'm sure both of these will be addressed in CUE.
3. Worthless dead pedal positioning -- way too far forward; makes the car feel "too big" if that makes sense.

Close runner ups for dislikes:

1. Trunk hinges -- I know struts like the ones on the CTS are considered more premium, but I'd gladly give these up for goosenecks that truly popped the trunk all the way open when you released it for those times when your hands are full when you approach the vehicle.
2. Lack of proper start/top button on keyless vehicles. The "fake key" looks tacked-on to me.
3. Lack of electronic parking brake. The pedal and clunky release feel cheap to me.

Re: Top Three Likes/Dislikes

Likes - Pretty much everything but these are my top as of late:
1. Front engine/RWD layout
2. Direct linkage of the shifter and the feel of the transmission it gives. Also how it bounces and shakes with the suspension.
3. Handling.

Dislikes:
1. "Idiot" shift light on the instrument panel that wants me to shift gears for maximum fuel economy. I got the manual gearbox to drive it how I want to.
2. Auto-door lock cannot be disabled and it doesn't unlock the doors until i take the key out of the ignition.
3. Engine is missing 2 cylinders.

Re: Top Three Likes/Dislikes

Originally Posted by jurzdevil

3. Engine is missing 2 cylinders and a supercharger

Fixed your post

About the assisted gear shifting... Does it basically lock out second gear when at low speeds/RPM?
I don't have a manual tranny so I don't know but I had another car that did the same thing. If it bothers you that much I'm sure there's a way to reprogram the ECU to disable this??

Re: Top Three Likes/Dislikes

Originally Posted by MTL_CTS

Fixed your post

About the assisted gear shifting... Does it basically lock out second gear when at low speeds/RPM?
I don't have a manual tranny so I don't know but I had another car that did the same thing. If it bothers you that much I'm sure there's a way to reprogram the ECU to disable this??

I've never liked those gear blocking mechanisms some cars have...fortunately its not in the CTS. The thing I don't like is merely a little gear shaped light below the tachometer that illuminates when the ECU wants you to shift to the next gear. It basically wants you to keep the RPMs below 2000 and stay in 6th all the time. So it comes on quite often for me as I avoid highways and like to give 3rd and 4th a workout on the twisty back-roads. I plan to try and disable it at some point but I figure I'll wait till the warranty is up. Don't want to risk anything even though its just a light bulb.

Re: Top Three Likes/Dislikes

Dislikes
1. Nav updates (cost too much for updates) but I do still like the nav
2. Lack of proper start/top button on keyless vehicles. The "fake key" looks tacked-on to me. (agree with Breaking Through)
3. Not getting the supercharged version

Re: Top Three Likes/Dislikes

Dislikes:
1. Sunroof(both the noises from the shade and the fact the shade doesn't block 100% of the light.
2. Bose audio system. Sound quality is very lacking for a car of this class(and bearing a name brand audio system!) Truly lives up the "no highs, no lows, must be a..."
3. Seats- Love the ventilated feature, but comfact takes a hit due to this. And the seats lack any sort of side bolstering. And the plastic surrounds creak when you move around in them.

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>>>Immediately distinctive and very "Cadillac" without resorting to strings of "Xmas light" LEDs in the headlights. In fact, the front LED pipes sort of remind me of modern-day opera lights.
<<<

Oh my gosh! I have to concur 100%. I think Audi started the whole LEDs in the headlamps or "xmas lights" as you put it and it looked okay at first. Then MB, Lexus, and now Kia have copied and it looks cheap and tacky. The light pipes are definitely the way to go.

Re: Top Three Likes/Dislikes

I've had Cadillac cars for quite a while, my first one being a 1973 SDV in 1979. So i have a lot to draw on.

Likes:
1. interior & exterior look - more refined and nicer than 1st gen. very close to STS
2. Audio system & NAV,especially the HDD which is so much faster then switching b/w tracks & 'discs"
3. Remote & keyless start, even though the twisting 'fake keypad' is really hokey IM(not so)HO.

Dislikes:
1. STOOOOOPID logic or lack thereof with the memory recall on the seat and wheel tilt. As soon as you open the door, it moves the wheel down and moves the seat forward. It should leave those ALONE until AFTER you start the car!!! THE STS has this partially right. It leaves the wheel alone until you start the car, then it tilts it down. Further, it sometimes won't move the seat back & wheel up when you shut it off. And its not because of my not having it set correctly. Otherwise it would NEVER mote these.
2. More brain-dead lack of logic on copying single tracks to the HDD. The manual says you can, but you cant!!!
3. Tilt is pitiful compared to STS and older non-electrical Saginaw tilts. The hinge is too far down the column. Why did they EVER put in an electric tilt is beyond me...

More:
DIC display does not show gallons used, ???????
No Bluetooth for hands free phone use (STS has it!)
No cornering lights
No power trunk pulldown,and trunk is not properly sprung to really open like my Fleetwood or Eldorado.
Parking brake lacks an auto pulloff and its not the same as STS prompting many an accidental hood opening when switching cars
Too many little differences b/w STS & CTS making every switchover b/w mine & my wife's car a mental
adjustment.
Moonroof is noisy (might be fixed with new seal)
Lack of leg room on passenger side with AWD
No Chrome wheel option - but my CTS has the factory 18s chromed as does my STS (Platinum ed only!) (polished do look very good, but chromed is ALWAYS better!).